Mounting adaptor assembly



July- 1957 c. M. BEHM 3,332,174

MOUNTING ADAPTOR ASSEMBLY Filed April 2, 1964 ull l I l H 33 F 9.5 INVENTOR.

CARL M BEHM United States Patent 3,332,174 MOUNTING ADAPTOR ASSEMBLY Carl M. Behm, 27317 Santa Clara Drive, Westlake, Ohio 44091 Filed Apr. 2, 1964, Ser. No. 356,745 6 Claims. (Cl. 51-169) This invention relates, as indicated, to a mounting adaptor assembly for rotary wheels such as grinding wheels and the like and more particularly to such an assembly whereby a rotary wheel can be readily balanced without removal from its mounted position.

Unbalance of rotating parts is a very old and wellknown problem to many industries. Unbalance is generally defined as being unequal distribution of the weight of a part about its rotating center line. There are many causes of unbalance, the most common being blow holes, slag inclusions and other imperfections in castings, inaccuracy or non-symmetry of unmachined castings and forgings, eccentric hole location, all of which add up to more weight on one side of the center line of the part than on the other.

All of the combinations of unequal weight distribution such as those mentioned above are considered to be concentrated at one point on the rotating part, which is referred to as the heavy spot. A heavy spot represents the accumulated result of all of the unbalance of the rotating spot.

The problem of unbalance is especially acute in fields wherein grinding wheels are employed. When such unbalanced wheels are used in a normal grinding operation, the heavy side of the wheel because it is exerting a greater centrifugal force will come in contact with the workpiece more frequently than the light side. As a result, the heavy side of the wheel will pick up more pieces of metal shavings etc. from the workpiece, with such pieces being embedded within the grinding wheel surface. Such a condition is commonly referred to in the art as the wheel being loaded up on the heavy side. When the wheel becomes loaded, it must be trued and dressed in order to compensate for such condition. In truing and dressing operations, the wheel is cut so that its periphery is truly concentric about its axis, and the working surface is cut or broken down so that the face of the wheel is opened and its cutting ability can be used to its full limits. It is readily apparent, therefore, that truing and dressing cause the wheel to be decreased in size by the removal of its grinding surface thereby considerably shortening the life of the wheel. As a consequence, it is extremely desirable to provide a readily usable means which facilitates the balancing of such a wheel and thereby makes it possible to maintain the wheel in a properly balanced condition for even cutting action and for increasing wheel life by requiring less frequent dressing.

The devices of the prior art Which have been directed to this problem generally include a heavy flange formed as a part of the grinding wheel mounting adaptor, said flange having a circular groove in the rear face thereof for the provision of balancing weights which are held in place by wedge screws. To balance wheels with such adaptors, however, it is necessary that the wheel and flange be removed from its mounted position, since the groove and weights are provided on the rear side of the adaptor flange.

It is an object of this invention therefore to provide a mounting adaptor assembly for rotary wheels such as grinding wheels and the like which can be readily balanced without removal from the mounted position.

It is an additional object to provide a mounting adaptor assembly which can be easily and inexpensively manufactured.

3,332,174 Patented July 25, 1967 It is another object of this invention to provide a mounting adaptor assembly which is usable with different types and sizes of rotary wheels and which can be reused after the wheel has exceeded its useful life.

Other objects, advantages and features of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a reading of the following more detailed description of the invention.

These and other objects are achieved by means of this invention in which a mounting adaptor assembly is provided comprising a threaded shaft with a circumferential flange, a pair of inner and outer co-operating dish shaped plates positioned on the shaft so as to form a circumferential groove therebetween, adjustable weights positioned Within the groove, and a locking ring in engagement with the shaft to position the plates between the circumferential flange and the locking ring. The shaft is also provided with a longitudinal opening for mounting the assembly on a spindle.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawings setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principle of the invention may be employed.

In said annexed drawings:

FIG. 1 is a partial diafnetric view illustrating the mounting adaptor assembly with a rotary wheel secured thereto; FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the threaded shaft on which the rotary wheel is to be mounted, with FIG. 3 being a crosssectional view on line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top view of one embodiment of the co-operating dish shaped plates;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view on line 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 illustrates the adjustable weights which are used with this assembly; and

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate top and side views respectively of an alternative embodiment of a dish shaped plate which can be used with this invention.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a rotary wheel, in this instance a grinding wheel, is designated at 1. The grinding wheel is mounted on shaft 2 with a pair of co-operating inner and outer dish shaped metal plates 3 and 4 mounted on the shaft adjacent the wheel. The plates are positioned so that a circumferential groove 5 is formed therebetween and adjustable weights 6 and 7 are positioned therein. A locking ring 8 is mounted on the shaft in threaded engagement therewith adjacent the dish shaped plates to secure the plates, grinding wheel, and shaft in the assembled position. The locking ring preferably has left-hand threads so that it will tend to be tightened when the grinding wheel and mounting assembly are revolved in a right-hand or clockwise direction. The shaft has a longitudinal opening 9 extending therethrough to mount the assembly upon a spindle.

The threaded shaft is illustrated in more detail in FIGS. 2 and 3. As shown, the shaft has a threaded end portion 10 onto which the locking ring is threadedly engaged and a circumferential flange 11 against which the grinding wheel is positioned. The shaft has a longitudinal opening 12 extendingtherethrough, with the one end thereof being tapered at 13. The inner portion of the opposite end of the opening is threaded at 14 to facilitate the engagement of the shaft with a spindle when inserted therein.

In FIGS. 4 and 5, one embodiment of the co-operating dish shaped plates is illustrated. The plates are positioned such that a central opening 15 is provided for insertion of the threaded shaft. The outer plate 4 is preferably provided with lugs 16 and 17 which are adapted to fit within keyways K which are provided on the threaded shaft to facilitate engagement of the plates to the shaft to prevent such from rotating when the locking ring is engaged with the shaft to lock the entire assembly. Although a .pair of lugs has been disclosed and illustrated, it should be understood, however, that a greater or lesser number can be used with only one lug on the outer plate being sulficient in many cases to prevent rotation of the plates. The inner plate 3 has an axial flange 18 on its periphery and a radially inwardly directed flange 19 on the axial flange. The outer plate 4 has an axial flange 20 on its periphery and a radially outwardly directed flange 21 on this axial flange. As clearly shown in FIG. 4, the two plates with the co-operating axial and radial flanges form a circumferential groove therebetween in which the adjustable wegihts are positioned.

The adjustable weights are illustrated in detail in FIG. 6 wherein a weight member 21 is shown which is convexly curved so as to correspond in shape with the circumferential groove in which it is positioned. The adjustable weights include a washer 22 which is connected to the weight member by a bolt 23. As shown in FIG. 5, the weights are positioned within the circumferential groove such that the weight member is within the groove and the washer is above the groove on the co-operating radial flanges and held in place by the bolt. By such design, the adjustable weights can be very securely held in place and are also readily movable within the circumferential groove when balancing of the wheel is necessary. It is to be understood that, although a pair of adjustable weights are illustrated, any number of such could be provided as desired within the scope of this invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, an alternative embodiment of dish shaped plates is illustrated. In this embodiment, the co-operating plate arrangement is a single plate such as a one-piece die casting, an injection molded part, etc. This is designated generally by the numeral 25. Such plate has radial flanges 26 and 27 formed on axial flanges, in the same manner as illustrated in FIG. 5, and which co-operate to form a circumferential groove 28 therebetween. The plate has a central opening 29 for mounting on the shaft. The plate is also preferably provided with lugs 30 and 31 to fit within corresponding keyways on the shaft to secure the engagement of the plate with the shaft. The plate has a peripheral opening 32 in the outer radial flange and a connecting peripheral opening 33 in the outer axial flange through which the adjustable weights are inserted into the circumferential groove.

When the assembly is mounted on a spindle, the spindle will be inserted into the tapered opening of the threaded shaft and secured thereto in any conventional manner. As shown in FIG. 1, the adjustable weights and circumferential groove in which they are positioned are on the front side of the rotary wheel and consequently are in a readily accessible position for adjustment. The wheel can therefore be easily balanced without removal from the spindle.

When balancing of the wheel becomes necessary, it can be accomplished by any of the known methods such as the use of vector diagrams or trial and error. An especially suitable method is by use of an articulated parallelogram as disclosed in my co-pending application, Serial No. 326,586, filed Nov. 27, 1963, entitled, Rotor Balancing Device.

It is thus seen that the objects of this invention have been fulfilled by the provision of the relatively simple mounting adaptor assembly herein provided which, in a preferred form, comprises the general combination of a threaded shaft with a circumferential flange, inner and outer dish shaped plates positioned on the shaft in cooperation with one another to form a circumferential groove therebetween, adjustable weights positioned in d the groove, and a locking ring in engagement with the shaft.

Other modes of applying the principle of the invention may be employed, change being made as regards the details described, provided the features stated in any of the following claims, or the equivalent of such, be employed.

I, therefore, particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. A mounting adapter assembly for rotary wheels and the like comprising a shaft with a circumferential flange thereon intermediate the ends of said shaft for engagement by a rotary Wheel and the like disposed on one end of said shaft, inner and outer dish shaped plates adapted to be positioned on said one end of said shaft outwardly of such rotary wheel with said outer plate loosely contained within said inner plate for ease of assembly and disassembly of said plates, said inner plate having an integral axially outwardly extending flange on its outer periphery and an integral radially inwardly directed flange on the outer end of said axial flange, said outer plate also having an integral axially outwardly extending flange on its outer periphery which is radially inwardly space-d from the axially outwardly extending flange on said inner plate and an integral radially outwardly directed flange on the outer end of said axial flange on said outer plate disposed in the same plane as said radially inwardly directed flange on said inner plate so as to form a circumferential groove between said flanges, weights positioned in said groove, a locking ring in threaded engagement with said one end of said shaft outwardly of said plates for urging said plates into frictional engagement with such rotary wheel, means on the other end of said shaft for mounting said assembly on a spindle, and means projecting outwardly from said groove for permitting ready adjustment of the circumferential location of said weights within said groove from the front side of such wheel while said assembly is mounted on such spindle.

2. The adapter assembly of claim 1 further comprising keyways on said one end of said shaft, and lugs on said inner dish shaped plate adapted to be received in said keyways for securing said inner plate to said shaft.

3. The adapter assembly of claim 1 wherein said adjustable weights correspond in shape to said groove, and said means for adjusting the location of said weights comprises a washer positioned outwardly of said groove, and a bolt extending through said washer into said groove and threadedly engaging said Weights.

4. A mounting adapter assembly for rotary wheels and the like comprising a shaft with a circumferential flange thereon intermediate the ends of said shaft for engagement by a rotary wheel and the like disposed on one end of said shaft, a dish shaped plate adapted to be mounted on said one end of said shaft outwardly of such rotary wheel, said dish shaped plate having a first axial flange on its periphery with a radially inwardly directed flange on said first axial flange and a second axial flange with a radially outwardly directed flange thereon adjacent said first axial flange and spaced therefrom to form a circumferential groove therebetween, adjustable weights positioned in said groove, a peripheral opening in said first axial and radial flanges of said dish shaped plate through which said weights are inserted into said groove, a locking ring in threaded engagement with said one end of said shaft outwardly of said dish shaped plate for securing said plate on said shaft, and means for mounting the other end of said shaft on a spindle.

5. The adapter assembly of claim 4 further compr1sg eyways On said one end of said shaft, and lugs on said dish shaped plate adpted to be received in said keyways for securing said plate to said shaft.

6. A mounting adapter assembly for a grinding wheel and the like comprising a threaded shaft adapted to be i se t d through the central opening of such wheel and 5 6 having a circular flange, a balancing ring axially slidably References Cited keyed on said shaft having an annular groove therein, UNITED STATES PATENTS balancing weights circumferentially adjustable in said groove, an opening in the outer peripheral wall of said 1,532,687 4/1925 Darlmg et groove through which said weights are adapted to be 5 2,097,894 11/ 1937 Roche 51-469 inserted in and removed frorn said groove, means for FOREIGN PATENTS frictlonally locking said weights in circumferentially adjusted positions in said groove, and a locking ring 620,464 3/1949 Great Bntamthreadedly engaged with said shaft and elfected to urge said balancing ring axially toward said flange thus to 10 ROBERT RIORDON Pnmary Exam'mer' clamp a grinding wheel therebetween. L. S. SELMAN, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A MOUNTING ADAPTER ASSEMBLY FOR ROTARY WHEELS AND THE LIKE COMPRISING A SHAFT WITH A CIRCUMFERENTIAL FLANGE THEREON INTERMEDIATE THE ENDS OF SAID SHAFT FOR ENGAGEMENT BY A ROTARY WHEEL AND THE LIKE DISPOSED ON ONE END OF SAID SHAFT, INNER AND OUTER DISH SHAPED PLATES ADATED TO BE POSITIONED ON SAID ONE END OF SAID SHAFT OUTWARDLY OF SUCH ROTARY WHEEL WITH SAID OUTER PLATE LOOSELY CONTAINED WITHIN SAID INNER PLATE FOR EASE OF ASSEMBLY AND DISASSEMBLY OF SAID PLATES, SAID INNER PLATE HAVING AN INTEGRAL AXIALLY OUTWARDLY EXTENDING FLANGE ON ITS OUTER PERIPHERY AND AN INTEGRAL RADIALLY INWARDLY DIRECTED FLANGE ON THE OUTER END OF SAID AXIAL FLANGE, SAID OUTER PLATE ALSO HAVING AN INTEGRAL AXIALLY OUTWARDLY EXTENDING FLANGE ON ITS OUTER PERIPHERY WHICH IS RADIALLY INWARDLY SPACED FROM THE AXIALLY OUTWARDLY EXTENDING FLANGE ON SAID INNER PLATE AND AN INTEGRAL RADIALLY OUTWARDLY DIRECTED FLANGE ON THE OUTER END OF SAID AXIAL FLANGE ON SAID OUTER PLATE DISPOSED ON SAID INNER PLANE AS SAID RADIALLY INWARDLY DIRECTED FLANGE ON SAID INNER PLATE SO AS TO FORM A CIRCUMFERENTIAL GROOVE BETWEEN SAID FLANGES, WEIGHTS POSITIONED IN SAID GROOVE, A LOCKING RING IN THREADED ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID ONE END OF SAID SHAFT OUTWARDLY OF SAID PLATES FOR URGING SAID PLATES INTO FRICTIONAL ENGAGEMENT WITH SUCH ROTARY WHEEL, MEANS ON THE OTHHER END OF SAID SHAFT FOR MOUNTING SAID ASSEMBLY ON A SPINDLE, AND MEANS PROJECTING OUTWARDLY FROM SAID GROOVE FOR PERMITTING READY ADJUSTMENT OF THE CIRCUMFERENTIAL LOCATION OF SAID WEIGHTS WITHIN SAID GROOVE FROM THE FRONT SIDE OF SUCH WHEEL WHILE SAID ASSEMBLY IS MOUNTED ON SUCH SPINDLE. 